Norwegian folk-rock band GÅTE have followed their appearance at Eurovision 2024 with another notable achievement, this time winning the World category at the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. The band’s ‘Sannsiger’, featuring guest vocals from Maria Franz (HEILUNG), has been awarded the category’s grand prize.

The song also serves as the lead single from GÅTE’s sixth studio album, “Sigil”, due out on September 25 via Season of Mist. The album will be the band’s first release on their new label and will feature ten tracks combining Nordic folk with a contemporary rock approach.

‘Sannsiger’ began with a simple guitar loop that guitarist Magnus Børmark recorded on his phone. The song deals with the silencing of truth-tellers throughout history and society’s repeated tendency to respond in the same way, while its musical framework brings traditional instruments such as Hardanger fiddle and nyckelharpa together with contemporary arrangements.

HEILUNG vocalist Maria Franz also appears as a guest on the track. At the time of its release, Franz said that the raw energy of GÅTE’s music immediately resonated with her and that accepting the invitation was an easy decision, having followed the band for many years.

“Sigil” expands on GÅTE’s approach to traditional music within a broader framework. Rather than preserving old ballads, oral traditions and traditional vocal forms as they are, the band reinterprets them through contemporary musical means. The album’s narrative draws on Nordic legend and folk narrative, focusing on the question of what remains once illusion falls away.

GÅTE’s new era is not only about a new album, but also reflects the band’s aim to expand their international reach. Their 2002 debut album, “Jygri”, entered the Norwegian charts at number one and earned the band the Best Newcomer award at the Spellemann Awards. After a twelve-year hiatus, the band returned to activity in 2017, released “Nord” in 2021 and represented Norway at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with a reimagining of the traditional Norwegian ballad ‘Ulveham’. The band also toured Europe with LEPROUS in 2025.

“Sigil” was produced by Kristian Fanavoll Tvedt and Magnus Børmark. The album was recorded at MagnuStudio and Øra Studio, while mixing and mastering were handled by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios. The artwork was created by Martine Solstad Larsen and Martin Kvamme, with photography by Ole Ekker.

Inline image

Pre-order and pre-save options for “Sigil” are now available.

Following the album’s release, GÅTE will embark on a ten-date tour across Norway in October and November. The tour will also include a Turkish date, with the band scheduled to perform at IF Performance in Istanbul on November 21, 2026. Throughout the run, GÅTE will perform new songs from “Sigil”, including ‘Sannsiger’, alongside material from their earlier work.

“Sigil” tracklist:

  1. ‘Bergteken’

  2. ‘Oskorsreia’

  3. ‘Sannsiger’

  4. ‘Nokon’

  5. ‘Bòd frå djupet’

  6. ‘Strandvaskar’

  7. ‘Songen’

  8. ‘Aude’

  9. ‘Mi Jord’

  10. ‘Jostedalsrypa’

Official Website: https://www.gåte.com/
Bandcamp: https://gaate.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gaateband/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaate_official/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gaateband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/G%C3%A5temusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YxkGgMvqCQA75aFpy6524
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/g%C3%A5te/73355577
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/16043
Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/12122/